Will Windows 8 save Microsoft?

Sunday

Jul 22, 2012 at 6:00 AM

The widespread adoption of Microsoft Windows in the 1980s was the opening salvo of the mainstream computer revolution, as a bonafide user interface separated geeks who thrived in the "c:\" MS-DOS age and a world eager to make computing an enhancer of their lives.

By Rob C. WitzelSun photography editor

The widespread adoption of Microsoft Windows in the 1980s was the opening salvo of the mainstream computer revolution, as a bonafide user interface separated geeks who thrived in the "c:" MS-DOS age and a world eager to make computing an enhancer of their lives.Much has changed in the 20 years since the rise of Windows 1.0 and the upcoming Windows 8 release. There has been the storybook rise of the World Wide Web as well as the thrilling rise, fall and eventual second coming of Microsoft's arch nemesis Apple.With its newest release, MS has gone from the role of Goliath to underdog David as it seeks to slingshot itself back into the driver's seat of the modern-day computer era.Analysis that this release is a "Hail Mary" pass can be dismissed by some because of the sheer absurdity of the idea of Microsoft actually failing, but this notion is backed up by the sobering news that the company that once produced one of the world's richest men, Bill Gates, actually lost money in the last quarter.The October release of Microsoft 8 will be to a mobile-dominated landscape that (ironically) was tilled by Apple. MS is actually using the Steve Jobs formula of a central operating system that works more in the "cloud" than the desktop and connects the PC, tablet and smartphone as a unified family.If embraced by consumers, the platform thrives and sales of devices soar. Failure could very well mean the house of cards comes crashing down.Microsoft has offered consumers a very usable web-based consumer preview of the new OS for months now. At first glance, Windows 8 offers a slick interface that resembles Microsoft's Xbox more than any former version of Windows. Some might even suggest a name change, as this is an interface dominated by tiles, not windows.The longtime stalwart "Start" button is actually built into the main screen as tiles direct you to the most popular functions of computing in a manner reminiscent of apps. MS calls this new landscape Metro UI, and it is made up of bold colors, simple graphics and a less-is-more overall look.It's quite an interface to behold and, in my opinion, the best piece of design work in MS history. The disconcerting part, though, is that it does not resemble Windows in any way. This could hurt more than it helps.The comment I hear from other users echoes my own confused thought upon logging in for the first time: "What do I do now?"Certainly that is not saying a lot for the user experience. The look and feel seem to cater more to attracting new users or converting old users back than it does to longtime Windows diehards. It presents a love-it-or-hate-it interface because it either makes sense or it doesn't.The real question is how much patience users will have.Will they get past the Metro screen and onto features such as Windows To Go, improved search functions, live synching?Underneath the pomp is some beneficial circumstance such as ease of sending tweets and messages, better access to photos and video, and improved multitasking. The flow is smooth, and content is rich.Why did MS choose to go so radical in this version? Its business always has been based on expensive software.What Apple and Google have done is make the tech world device-driven by offering platforms with ultra-cheap and hyper-focused apps. This is something Microsoft must adapt to, and the reality is very few people are walking around with Windows-based tablets or smartphones.Truth is, Windows 8 needs to be better than good, because most users are well settled into their iOS and Android environments.In order for MS to stay relevant, Windows 8 needs to accomplish three things. It must wow users away from other platforms, it must get them into Windows devices and, most importantly, it must get customers coming back often for those must-have upgrades.